Gentlemen, it's time to enter the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

Chapter 152 The Wisdom of the High Priest
Chen Ye brought Feng Huaiyu back to the square, but they seemed to be quite late.

The leaders of all the tribes had come out of the golden tent and were gathered around the white bone pillar.

Chen Ye was the last one, and Qiqi Gesang was getting a little anxious.

Seeing Chen Ye return with a stranger from the Central Plains, Qiqi Gesang didn't have time to ask him any questions. He just anxiously said to Chen Ye, "Sect Master, hurry, we need to enter the Ancestral Spirit Hall. If you are any later, we will be defeated."

Chen Ye was pulled by Qiqigesang to the white bone pillar, where he stood with more than a dozen other tribal leaders.

The people of the northern frontier all dressed similarly, with heavy animal skin coats, braids and colorful hair ornaments. They were either burly or stout. Chen Ye, a handsome young man wearing a light robe, stood out from the crowd.

Other tribal leaders couldn't help but look at Chen Ye, muttering something under their breath, but their eyes didn't seem very friendly.

Chen Ye didn't let Qiqi Gesang translate either, probably because he figured it wouldn't be anything nice, and listening to it would only make him angry.

No matter what others think or what nonsense they say, it's not worth taking seriously for someone like Chen Ye who seeks immortality.

The group of northern barbarians didn't get to say much more, because soon the sounds of bells and horns rang out from the ancestral spirit hall. The bronze doors of the hall slowly opened, and the barbarian leaders hurried towards the ancestral spirit hall.

Chen Ye followed suit, believing that when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

However, compared to the others, Chen Ye was a bit slower and was the last to enter the Ancestral Spirit Hall.

The space inside the Ancestral Spirit Hall was not much different from the outer plaza. The spacious hall was filled with tall stone pillars, which seemed to support the sky, giving it an imposing and solemn appearance. However, they were covered with various scars, and some of them were broken, resulting in several large holes in the ceiling of the Ancestral Spirit Hall.

In the center stood a statue, but it was in a terrible state, with the elbows and above completely broken. Judging from the broken lower half, it was at least ten feet tall and seemed to be a Buddha sitting on a lotus throne.

This is probably something left behind by the Nirvana Sect back then. I wonder how fierce that battle was, as traces can still be seen a thousand years later.

Of all those present, Chen Ye was the only one who was here for the first time. The other tribal leaders were already used to it and their eyes were all focused on the area in front of the Buddha statue.

An old man wearing a pure white cloak stood in front of the campfire, scanning the crowd with his eyes, which were now only slits.

According to Qiqigesang, this high priest has lived for over a thousand years and is the earliest inhabitant of the Northern Frontier. Chen Ye couldn't discern the man's true strength, but he didn't sense any pressure from him as a high-level cultivator.

The high priest spoke, chanting in an ancient and mysterious tone. Chen Ye listened quietly, even if he didn't understand, he just pretended to listen.

According to Qiqigesang, the ceremony in the ancestral temple was just a formality. Once the high priest finished reciting the prayers and lit the bonfire, the gladiatorial combat would officially begin, and the fight would start immediately.

But after the high priest finished reciting a lengthy prayer, his eyes, now only slits, looked at Chen Ye. Then, he spoke to Chen Ye in fairly standard Central Plains dialect: "So, guest, you also want to become a member of the Northern Frontier, which is why you came to participate in this deer hunting festival, right?"

Chen Ye hadn't expected the High Priest to specifically seek him out for a talk, but hearing his question, Chen Ye had no choice but to reply, "Indeed, I'm preparing to establish a sect in the Northern Frontier, and I hope to receive your support."

The high priest said, "But you chose the Suhe grassland, which is the most fertile place in the entire northern frontier. It can support the most cattle and sheep and raise the most powerful warriors."

This statement is probably true. After all, there is a ginseng fruit hidden underground. Even after thousands of years, the slightest trace of its aura can keep this land vibrant. It is not an exaggeration to say that this is the best place in the northern frontier.

This was precisely why Chen Ye could not back down. Chen Ye then said to the High Priest, "Indeed, Fengdu City is such a treasure land, but I personally seized it."

The high priest said slowly, “You are not from the Northern Frontier. You have no right to occupy this grassland. Moreover, you do not believe in ancestral spirits. What you want to pass on is your own tradition, which is completely different from the faith of my Northern Frontier.”

“That’s right. The Yellow Springs Sect does not believe in ancestral spirits, but I will not preach to you. The Yellow Springs Sect’s legacy will remain in Fengdu City.”

Chen Ye knew that his words were not very convincing. It involved a conflict of faith. Who could accept a foreign religion planting a nail in their territory?

But Chen Ye wouldn't back down. Even if he were willing to agree, the Lord wouldn't. Chen Ye's attendance at the Deer Hunt was actually giving the people of the Northern Frontier an opportunity. If things really turned sour, given the Lord's eagerness to establish a sect, the people of the Northern Frontier might face a second blood sacrifice.

The Venerable One would rather die under Zhang Qi's sword than give up the Yellow Springs Sect and the Ginseng Fruit.

The high priest sighed, as if he hadn't expected Chen Ye to be so firm, leaving no room for negotiation whatsoever.

"If that's the case, then please tell us, what exactly is the Dao that the Yellow Springs Sect wants to preach?"

Chen Ye glanced at the high priest in surprise, thinking that the old man would directly order the other barbarians to surround and kill him, but he didn't expect him to ask this question.

The people of Northern Xinjiang have an almost unshakable faith in their ancestral spirits. No matter how beautifully the lineage of the Yellow Springs Sect is explained, can these people of Northern Xinjiang accept it?

But since the high priest asked, Chen Ye did not intend to refuse. He needed this opportunity to let all the barbarian leaders in the northern frontier know the rules of the Yellow Spring Sect.

"The Yellow Springs Sect is the sect I founded. There are only two simple rules: first, do not kill the innocent; second, do not bully the weak."

The high priest then asked, "What is innocence? What is weakness?"

Chen Ye explained: "Those who do not harm others are innocent, and those who are powerless to protect themselves are weak."

What constitutes harm?

Chen Ye laughed and said, "The High Priest has his own standards, why ask me?"

The high priest shook his head and said, "The rules of the Northern Frontier are completely different from those of you Central Plains people. Every tribe has serfs. According to you Central Plains scholars, wouldn't that be considered harming others?" "I don't know the rules of scholars, but in Fengdu City, demoting someone to a slave is considered harming them."

Chen Ye could accept that the people of Fengdu City were barely living in the feudal era, but he could not accept that they were living in the even darker era of serfdom. To sacrifice millions of lives to build this so-called holy city on this snow-capped mountain was nothing short of persecution, an inhuman atrocity.

"It seems you've decided to break with the people of Northern Xinjiang."

Chen Ye shook his head and said, "High Priest, you misunderstand. The rules I mentioned will only apply to Fengdu City. Other tribes can live according to their customs, and I will not interfere."

Even the Qinghe Sword Sect doesn't care about the ancient rules that have been passed down for thousands of years. Chen Ye is the same; he won't force others to live according to his own rules.

This is someone else's culture, someone else's heritage. Chenye didn't exist a thousand years ago, so he has no right to interfere with these inherited rules.

But Fengdu City was built by him, and the spirits and mortals living inside were under his protection. Therefore, he was in charge of the rules of this city, and for thousands of years to come, Fengdu City must follow his rules.

This may sound illogical, but Chen Ye will not back down in the slightest.

Before the high priest could reply, a barbarian chieftain roared at Chen Ye, "Who do you think you are? Daring to steal the grasslands bestowed upon us by our ancestral spirits?!"

Chen Ye glanced at the other party, surprised that some of these leaders could speak the Central Plains language.

Facing the barbarian leader who was glaring angrily, Chen Ye said calmly, "That is the truth. I do not wish to be your enemy. The Northern Frontier suffered a blood sacrifice at the hands of demons, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands. I killed those demons who sacrificed the people of the Northern Frontier, which can be considered revenge for them. I rebuilt the city from the ruins without taking advantage of you. In my view, this city is already mine."

"I am here today to participate in this deer hunt only to respect your customs and avoid many conflicts. But if you do not agree, I will turn around and leave. I await your army in Fengdu and the Yellow Springs. But when the time comes for us to clash, I will not hold back."

A massive crimson serpent appeared behind Chen Ye, seemingly thicker than the pillars of the Ancestral Spirit Hall. Its enormous head looked down at everyone, as if anyone who dared to make any move would be swallowed whole.

Seeing Chen Ye summon such a terrifying beast, all the barbarians were startled and instinctively took a few steps back, each drawing their weapons. Several barbarians were even forced to transform into tigers, leopards, bears, and wolves.

Chen Ye didn't pay any attention, he just looked at the high priest.

Whether it's war or peace, only the high priest's words will make sense.

The high priest seemed unwilling to see this scene, and closed his eyes, which were already only a slit wide. He spoke a few words in the Northern Frontier language, and although the barbarian leaders were not entirely willing, they still put away their weapons.

The high priest then said to Chen Ye, "Sect Leader of the Yellow Springs Sect, withdraw your supernatural powers. You can kill all of us, but can you wipe out the entire Northern Frontier?"

“I had no intention of provoking conflict, but my Yellow Springs Sect will not leave Fengdu. If you are determined to fight me, then I will have no choice but to oblige.”

Seeing that Chen Ye showed no sign of compromise, the High Priest had no choice but to say, "Since that's the case, then let's follow the rules of the Northern Frontier. If you want to win over the people, then win this deer hunt. You should know the rules. If you can win three consecutive matches like Suhe, then Suhe's grasslands will belong to you."

Chen Ye smiled and said, "Alright, it's a deal."

Chen Ye did not say what would happen if he lost, and the High Priest did not add any additional clauses.

In fact, both of them knew that even if they lost, Chen Ye would not back down. The High Priest was also aware of this, so he didn't mention it at all, lest he really turn against Chen Ye.

Having reached this point, Chen Ye had achieved his goal. All he needed to do now was win three more matches. Even if Pang Wen and the others tried to cause trouble, Chen Ye wasn't afraid.

However, Chen Ye had some doubts in his heart.

The high priest seemed to know that the entire northern frontier would lose if they joined forces, which is why he went along with it and made this agreement with Chen Ye.

But how did he know his own abilities? When Chen Ye was exorcising demons in the Northern Frontier, he didn't have a single spectator by his side. If there was no test, how could the High Priest know Chen Ye's strength? And why is there this almost compromising agreement today?

Could this old guy, who claims to have lived for a thousand years, really have some special abilities?
Chen Ye was very curious, but now didn't seem like the right time to ask. He would wait until after the deer hunt to ask.

The high priest discussed the matter with the barbarian leaders in the northern language. Everyone was angry, but they eventually agreed to the high priest's decision.

However, judging from their expressions, Chen Ye knew that this was no longer a tribal war, but a united front of more than a dozen tribes against him, an outsider.

Without further ado, the high priest solemnly took the fire and lit the campfire in front of him.

The moment the flames rose, bells and horns rang out in the Ancestral Spirit Hall, and excited roars came from outside. The barbarian warriors of the Northern Frontier were all ready to participate in the upcoming gladiatorial combat.

The group of barbarian leaders turned and walked towards the gate of the Ancestral Spirit Hall. Chen Ye was about to take a step when he heard the high priest whisper to him, "Sect Master of the Yellow Springs Sect, since you can build a resting place for hundreds of thousands of souls, you must be a benevolent person. If you want to win people over, you can't just rely on your venomous snakes. Show them your power and benevolence, and you will have more friends and fewer enemies."

Chen Ye asked suspiciously, "Does the High Priest know that I have taken in the spirits of the Northern Frontier people?"

The high priest nodded and sighed, “It is because of this compassion that I am willing to open a door of convenience for you. However, the people of the Northern Frontier are exposed to wind and snow from childhood, which has fostered a simple and impulsive character. I hope you can be more tolerant. Tyrants use slaughter to gain fear, while heroes use strength to earn respect. I hope you can become a hero of the Northern Frontier.”

This high priest is truly a wise man.

Chen Ye nodded and said, "Don't worry, I will prove to the people of the Northern Frontier that I did not come here to kill."

(End of this chapter)